Method and system for synchronizing climate control devices

ABSTRACT

A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for controlling a first climate control device is provided. An operational mode is obtained for each of a plurality of climate control devices. The operational mode of each of the plurality of climate control devices is compared with a desired operational mode of the first climate control device. A determination of whether any of the operational modes of the plurality of climate control devices differs from the desired operational mode. The first climate control device is placed in the desired operational mode dependent on the comparison of the operational modes of the plurality of climate control devices with the desired operational mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an improved data processingsystem and in particular to a method and computer program product forsynchronizing climate control devices in a network system.

2. Description of Related Art

Locales or facilities having wide fluctuations in daily temperaturesoften require air conditioning and heating at different times of theday. A climate control conflict may arise in a facility requiring bothdaily air conditioning and heating when two or more climate controlzones are commonly located in the facility. For example, automatedclimate control systems having multiple zone environments includethermostats deployed at separate locations in a facility. Thethermostats will select either an air conditioning mode or a heatingmode based on the sensed temperature and the parameters programmed inthe climate control system.

In multiple zoned environments, a situation may arise in which anautomated and/or a manual climate control system has one or more climatecontrol devices activated in an air conditioning mode and one or moreclimate control devices activated in a heating mode. Such a situationresults in inefficient energy usage. The automatic thermostats may bemanually synchronized so that all climate control devices are activatedin a common mode. However, such a solution defeats the purpose ofdeploying an automated climate control system. The manual thermostatshave no way of notifying the user of an inconsistent setting with otherthermostats. No automated solutions are known for enablingsynchronization of multiple climate control devices in an automatedclimate control system featuring multiple peer thermostats.

Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a method and system forsynchronization of climate control devices in a climate control systemhaving no master controller or master thermostat. It would be furtheradvantageous to provide a climate control system featuring peerthermostat control units that control respective climate control devicesin which the operation of the climate control devices are synchronized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method, computer program product, and adata processing system for collaborative synchronization of climatecontrol devices. An operational mode is obtained for each of a pluralityof climate control devices. The operational mode of each of theplurality of climate control devices is compared with a desiredoperational mode of the first climate control device. A determination ofwhether any of the operational modes of the plurality of climate controldevices differs from the desired operational mode. The first climatecontrol device is placed in the desired operational mode dependent onthe comparison of the operational modes of the plurality of climatecontrol devices with the desired operational mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of climatecontrol devices in which the present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2 depicts a pictorial representation of an alternative networkconfiguration in which the present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing system in whichthe present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a thermostat synchronization routine performedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention FIG.5 is flowchart of a control unit attempting to invoke an operationalmode of an associated climate control device in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6A1, 6A2 and 6B are flowcharts of processing performed by acontrol unit attempting to determine the preferred operational mode, orprocessing of a conflict threshold, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorialrepresentation of a network of climate control devices in which thepresent invention may be implemented. Network system 100 contains anetwork 101, which is the medium used to provide communications linksbetween various devices connected together within network system 100.Network 101 may include connections such as wire, wireless communicationlinks, or fiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, climate control devices 120-122 are connectedto network 101 along with respective control units 102-104. Controlunits 102-104 may comprise, for example, processing units 110-112 andassociated memory devices 106-108. In the depicted example, memorydevices 106-108 provide data, such as a climate control application, toprocessing units 110-112. Network system 100 may include additionalcomputational devices not shown. Network system 100 also may beimplemented as a number of different types of networks, such as forexample, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wirelesscommunication network. FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as anarchitectural limitation for the present invention.

Climate control devices 120-122 are respectively representative of bothan air conditioning device 120 a-122 a and a heating device 120 b-122 band thus may be implemented as multiple co-located devices or physicallyremote devices within an infrastructure having a climate to be regulatedby network system 100.

FIG. 2 depicts a pictorial representation of an alternative networkconfiguration in which the present invention may be implemented. Networkdata processing system 200 is a network of thermostat control units inwhich the present invention may be implemented. Network data processingsystem 200 contains a network 202, which is the medium used to providecommunications links between various thermostat control devices and acentral control data processing system connected together within networkdata processing system 200. Network 202 may include connections, such aswire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, central control data processing system 204 isconnected to network 202. In addition, thermostat control units 208,210, and 212 are connected to network 202. These thermostat controlunits 208, 210 and 212 may be processing or computational devicessuitable for activating and deactivating air conditioning and heatingdevices of climate control devices 120-122, and for communication withcentral control data processing system 204 via network 202. In thedepicted example, central control data processing system 204 providesqueries, such as queries for the operational mode of climate controldevices 120-122. Network 202 may be implemented as a number of differenttypes of networks, such as for example, the Internet, an intranet, alocal area network (LAN), or another suitable communicationsinfrastructure. FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as anarchitectural limitation for the present invention.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating a dataprocessing system is depicted in which the present invention may beimplemented. Data processing system 300 is an example of central controldata processing system 204 shown in FIG. 2. Data processing system 300employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local busarchitecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other busarchitectures such as Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and IndustryStandard Architecture (ISA) may be used. Processor 302 and main memory304 are connected to PCI local bus 306 through PCI bridge 308. PCIbridge 308 also may include an integrated memory controller and cachememory for processor 302. Additional connections to PCI local bus 306may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-inboards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 310,SCSI host bus adapter 312, and expansion bus interface 314 are connectedto PCI local bus 306 by direct component connection. In contrast, audioadapter 316, graphics adapter 318, and audio/video adapter 319 areconnected to PCI local bus 306 by add-in boards inserted into expansionslots. Expansion bus interface 314 provides a connection for a keyboardand mouse adapter 320, modem 322, and additional memory 324. Smallcomputer system interface (SCSI) host bus adapter 312 provides aconnection for hard disk drive 326, tape drive 328, and CD-ROM drive330. Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or fourPCI expansion slots or add-in connectors.

An operating system runs on processor 302 and is used to coordinate andprovide control of various components within data processing system 300in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a commercially availableoperating system, such as Windows XP, which is available from MicrosoftCorporation. An object oriented programming system such as Java may runin conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to theoperating system from Java programs or applications executing on dataprocessing system 300. “Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programmingsystem, and applications or programs are located on storage devices,such as hard disk drive 326, and may be loaded into main memory 304 forexecution by processor 302.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware inFIG. 3 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardwareor peripheral devices, such as flash read-only memory (ROM), equivalentnonvolatile memory, or optical disk drives and the like, may be used inaddition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 3. Also, theprocesses of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessordata processing system.

As another example, data processing system 300 may be a stand-alonesystem configured to be bootable without relying on some type of networkcommunication interfaces As a further example, data processing system300 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, which isconfigured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order to provide non-volatilememory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data.

The depicted example in FIG. 3 and above-described examples are notmeant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processingsystem 300 also may be a notebook computer or hand held computer inaddition to taking the form of a PDA. Data processing system 300 alsomay be a kiosk or a Web appliance.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, aclimate control system is implemented that facilitates synchronizationof the operational modes of climate control devices 120-122. Controlunits 102-104 respectively regulate the operational mode of climatecontrol devices 120-122. As referred to herein, a control unit is saidto be operating in a cooling mode when the control unit has activated anair conditioning device of an associated climate control device, and acontrol unit is said to be operating in a heating made when the controlunit has activated a heating device of an associated climate controldevice. As referred to herein, a climate control device is said to beactivated when either the air conditioning device or heating device ofthe climate control device is activated. As referred to herein, acontrol unit that is operational, that is not disabled or otherwiseunresponsive, that is not operating in a heating mode or cooling mode issaid to be in an idle mode. As referred to herein, a control unit thatis in an operational mode and has an associated climate controldevice(s) temporarily disabled, for example a control unit that has aheating and air-conditioning device manually switched off but isotherwise responsive to network queries or commands, is said to be off.

A control unit may selectively direct a climate control device (either aheating device or an air conditioning device) to activate or deactivatedby any one or more of various directives. For example, a control unitmay direct a climate control device to activate or deactivate inresponse to a manual user input. Additionally, a control unit may directa climate control device to activate or deactivate responsive to programdirectives resulting from a climate control program or application thatprovides an “auto” mode climate control. As referred to herein, acontrol unit configured to operate in an auto mode activates ordeactivates a climate control device in response to a temperate measuredby an associated thermostat device. For example, a control unitconfigured in the auto mode may activate an air conditioning deviceresponsive to a temperature measured by an associated thermostat thatexceeds a predefined temperature. Likewise, a control unit configured inthe auto mode may active a heating device responsive to a temperaturemeasured by an associated thermostat that is less than a predefinedtemperature.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, oneor more of control units 102-104 is configured to operate in athermostat synchronization mode. Activation of a climate control deviceby an associated control unit configured in the thermostatsynchronization mode is contingent on an evaluation of the operationalstatus of one or more other climate control device or devices in networksystem 100 as described more fully below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a thermostat synchronization routine performedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Acontrol unit begins processing (step 402) and may periodically evaluateor read a zone temperate or other climate control directive associatedwith the control unit (step 404). For example, the control unit mayevaluate the temperature, a time of day, or other parameter(s) fordetermination of a desired cycle or operational mode of an associatedclimate control device. An evaluation of whether climate control isneeded is made responsive to reading the temperature or other climatecontrol parameter (step 406). If a determination is made that no climatecontrol is currently needed, processing returns to step 404 forevaluation of the current zone temperature or other climate controlparameter. A predefined delay or interval may elapse between the returnto step 404 when a determination is made that no climate control iscurrently needed at step 406. In the event that the evaluation step 406results in a determination that climate control is needed, one or morequeries for the operational status of other climate control zones isperformed (step 408). On receipt of the climate control status of otherclimate control zones, an evaluation is made to determine if a conflictwould arise between climate control devices of network system 100 ifclimate control is activated by the control unit (step 410). If aconflict in the operation of climate control devices would result byactivation of a climate control device associated with the control unit,a delay in climate control activation is invoked (step 412), andprocessing subsequently returns to step 404 for obtaining the currenttemperature or other directive. In an alternative embodiment, a safetyoverride feature may be implemented to active a climate control deviceeven when a climate control conflict is identified as described morefully below. Alternatively, evaluation step 410 may utilize a conflictthreshold for determination of whether to activate climate control bythe control unit. If no conflict will result (or alternatively if theconflict threshold will not be exceeded) if climate control isactivated, climate control is then activated (step 414). Control unitprocessing may then resume periodic temperature or climate control cycleevaluation (step 416).

FIG. 5 is flowchart of control unit processing for a control unit ofnetwork system 100 that is attempting to invoke an operational mode ofan associated climate control device in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. As referred to herein, a controlunit attempting to invoke an operational mode of an associated climatecontrol device is referred to as a requesting control unit. Theoperational mode, e.g., cooling or heating, that the requesting controlunit is attempting to invoke is referred to herein as the desired cycleof the desired operational mode.

The synchronization routine is invoked and a desired cycle is determinedbased on the time of day, a measured temperature, or other climatecontrol directive (step 502). For example, different desired cycles maybe stored in a memory device of the control unit for defining desiredcycles for different times of the day, season, or other period. A numberof variables are then initialized to facilitate the evaluation ofnetwork system 100 by the requesting control unit. For example, acounter variable Runcounter that is used to store a count of the numberof control units active in the desired cycle is initialized to zero(step 510). A counter variable Conflictcounter that stores a count ofthe number of control units operating in a mode that conflicts with,that is that does not equal, the desired cycle is initialized to zero(step 512). A variable THMCntr is initialized to zero (step 514) and isused for maintaining a count of control units in network system 100 thatare operational. Additionally, a variable Runtime_total that is used tostore a count of the cumulative elapsed time over which climate controldevices have been activated is initialized to zero (step 516). ATHMIndex variable is then initialized to 1 (step 518). Each control unit102-104 of network system 100 is associated with a unique THMIndex valueand provides a mechanism for addressing and evaluating an operationalstate of a particular control unit. The control unit then proceeds toevaluate the network system for suitability of performing a climatecontrol cycle (step 520) as described more fully below with reference toFIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart of processing performed by a control unit whenevaluating the suitability of network system 100 for activating aclimate control device upon receipt of a cycle and current temperaturein accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Preferably, a control unit maintains a table or other data structure forrecording the operational status or other parameters of control unitswithin network system 100. While the control unit is attempting toactivate an associated climate control device, it queries and evaluatesthe operational mode of the other climate control units within network100. Upon receipt of a cycle and current temperature, thesynchronization routine is invoked and various variables and otherparameters are initialized (step 602) as described above with referenceto FIG. 5. A comparison of THMIndex with the number of other thermostatsin the network is made (step 604). In the event the THMIndex is less orequal to the number of other thermostats in the network indicating thatother control units remain to be queried for their operational mode, athermostat conflict field associated with the control unit being queriedis initialized to false (N) to indicate a default non-conflict status ofthe queried control unit (step 606). The conflict field is preferablymaintained in the memory unit of the requesting control unit inassociation with the THMIndex value of the queried control unit. Therequesting control unit then queries status information for thecurrently indexed thermostat (step 608). For example, a query message istransmitted from the requesting control unit to the control unit indexedby the THMIndex value by way of network 101. The requesting control unitthen evaluates whether a response to the query was received (step 610).If a query response is not obtained after, for example, a predefinedinterval, the controller proceeds to increment the THMIndex as describedbelow with reference to step 674 in FIG. 6B in preparation for issuingadditional control unit queries. If a valid response is received fromthe currently indexed control unit queried as described in step 610, therequesting control unit proceeds to evaluate whether the current mode ofthe queried thermostat is OFF (step 612). If the query response of thecurrently indexed control unit indicates the climate control deviceassociated with the queried control unit is in the OFF mode, therequesting control unit proceeds to increment the thermostat indexvariable according to step 674 of FIG. 6B.

If the response obtained from the queried control unit does not indicatethe climate control device associated with the queried control unit isin the OFF mode at step 612, the requesting control unit evaluateswhether the current mode of the queried thermostat corresponds to thedesired cycle (step 614). In the event the queried control unit isevaluated as operating in the desired cycle, the requesting control unitincrements the Runcounter (step 616) thereby updating a count of thenumber of climate control devices running in the same mode as thedesired cycle and proceeds to step 670 described below with reference toFIG. 6B.

Returning again to step 614, if the current mode of the queried controlunit does not equal the desired cycle as indicated in the status queryresponse provided by the queried control unit, the requesting controlunit proceeds to evaluate whether the current mode of the currentlyindexed control unit is operating in the auto mode (step 618). If thequery response indicates the current mode of the currently indexedcontrol unit is in the auto mode, an evaluation is made to determine ifthe desired cycle of the queried control unit running in the auto modeis equal to the desired cycle of the requesting control unit (step 620).If the desired cycle of the control unit running in auto mode is equalto the desired cycle of the requesting control unit, the Runcountervariable is incremented (step 616) and the routine proceeds to step 670of FIG. 6B as described below. If the desired cycle of the control unitrunning in auto mode is not equal to the desired cycle of the requestingcontrol unit then the routine proceeds to step 660 of FIG. 6B to furtherevaluate the mode change. The mode change will be explained more fullybelow.

Returning again to evaluation of the current mode of the thermostatdescribed with reference to step 618, an evaluation that the currentmode of the queried control unit is not in auto mode indicates that thecontrol unit was previously placed in a mode that differs from thedesired cycle. Accordingly, the Conflictcounter variable is incremented(step 622) and the conflict field associated with the queried controlunit is set to true (Y) to indicate a conflict would exist between therequesting control unit and the queried control unit (step 624) if therequesting control unit were to place the associated climate controldevice in the desired cycle. The control unit then proceeds to step 670of FIG. 6B to accumulate the run time of the queried control unit asdescribed more fully below.

Returning again to step 604, an evaluation that the THMIndex is greaterthan the number of other thermostats in the network indicates that theoperational mode of all control units have been evaluated. An evaluationis then made to determine if switching the climate control device of therequesting control unit into the desired cycle will result in a climatecontrol device conflict. For example, a conflict state of network system100 may be defined as a state in which the number of climate controldevices operating in the desired cycle does not exceed the number ofclimate control devices operating in an active mode that differs fromthe desired cycle. Accordingly, a comparison of the Runcounter andConflictcounter variables may be made to determine if switching theclimate control device associated with the requesting control unit intothe desired cycle will result in the network system operating in aclimate control conflict state (step 626). That is, a comparison betweenthe Runcounter and Conflictcounter variables is made to determine if theRuncounter variable equals or exceeds the Conflictcounter variable. Inthe event that the Runcounter variable equals or exceeds theConflictcounter variable thus indicating that the requesting controlunit may switch the associated climate control device into the desiredcycle, a status variable Cycle_Last_Used that records the most recentlyactive cycle of the requesting control unit is set to the desired cycle(step 628). The cycle start time is then set to the current time (step630), and the status variable start_cycle_temperature is set to thecurrent temperature (step 632). The desired cycle is then executed untilthe programmed temperature is reached (step 634). A status variableend_cycle_temperature is then set to the current temperature (step 636).A status variable Duration_of_last_cycle is then set to the differencebetween the current time and the cycle start time (step 638). The statusvariable Runtime_total that records the total climate control deviceactive time of all climate control devices in network system 100 isupdated as a sum of the last cycle duration recorded by the statusvariable Duration_of_last_cycle and the previously recordedRuntime_total value (step 640). The climate control routine of therequesting control unit then exits (step 652).

Returning again to evaluation of the Runcounter and Conflictcounter atstep 626, an evaluation that the Runcounter is not greater or equal tothe Conflictcounter variable thus indicating that switching the climatecontrol device associated with the requesting control unit would resultin a climate control device conflict, an evaluation of the desired cycleis made (step 642). Particularly, the desired cycle is evaluated todetermine if the desired cycle is heat (step 642). An evaluation of thedesired cycle after determining that switching the climate controldevice associated with the requesting control unit would result in aconflict state of network system 100 may be made for safety precautions.For example, a minimum allowable temperature may be defined andassociated with control units or zones to, for example, prevent freezingtemperatures or other extreme temperatures within a zone. If the desiredcycle is not evaluated as heat, the routine proceeds to enter a waitmode (step 646). For example, the wait time may be selected as anaverage cycle run time of other responding control units in networksystem 100. The status variable Duration_of_last_cycle of the requestingcontrol unit is then updated as the wait time (step 648). Additionally,a display of conflict zones may be provided on a display device duringthe wait period (step 650), and the control unit synchronization cycleexits (step 652).

If the desired cycle is evaluated as heat at step 642, the currenttemperature is compared with a safety limit temperature, such as aminimum allowed temperature (step 644) and the routine proceeds toexecute a wait period according to step 646 if the current temperatureexceeds the minimum safety temperature. In the event the currenttemperature does not exceed the minimum safety temperature, the controlunit then prepares for activating an associated climate control deviceinto the desired cycle by proceeding to update the status variableCycle_Last_Used to the desired cycle according to step 628.

With reference now to FIG. 6B, control unit processing of a requestingcontrol unit is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The control processing of the requesting control unitshown in FIG. 6B is a continuation of the processing shown and describedin FIG. 6A. The last active cycle of the queried control unit isevaluated (step 660) in the event that the queried control unit isevaluated as operating in the auto mode but does not have an associatedclimate control device operating in the desired cycle as evaluated atstep 620 in FIG. 6A. If the last cycle of the queried control unit doesnot equal the desired cycle, the conflict counter is incremented (step662) and the conflict field associated with the queried control unit isset to true (Y) (step 664). This path is taken when a requestingautomatic climate control unit is directed to change climate controlmodes based on its programmed parameters. The control unit routine thenproceeds to update the status variable Runtime_total (step 670).

If at step 660 the evaluated last cycle does equal to desired cycle, therequesting control unit increments the status variable Runcounter (step666) and sets the conflict field associated with the queried controlunit to false (N) (step 668). This path is taken when the queriedclimate control unit has changed climate control mode but has not beenable to start the new mode due to a conflict with the preferred networkmode. The other climate control units will be allowed to run as long astheir desired mode is the preferred network mode. The climate controlunit then proceeds to update the status variable Runtime total inaccordance with step 670.

Upon update of the status variable Runtime_total at step 670, theTHMCntr counter is incremented to indicate the number of control unitsin network system 100 that have responded to the status query issued bythe requesting control unit (step 672). The THMIndex variable is thenincremented (step 674). Processing then returns to comparison of theTHMIndex with the number of thermostats in the network according to step604 of FIG. 6A. The control unit procedures described above are repeateduntil all control units have been queried as indicated by a Noevaluation at step 604 at which point the conflict status of networksystem 100 is evaluated as described above with reference to step 626.

Thus, a method and system for synchronization of climate control devicesin a climate control network system is provided. The climate controlnetwork system may feature thermostat control units that controlrespective climate control devices in which the operation of the climatecontrol devices are synchronized. The operational efficiency and energyusage of the network system is thus enhanced.

It is important to note that while the present invention has beendescribed in the context of a fully functioning data processing system,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes ofthe present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of acomputer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and thatthe present invention applies equally regardless of the particular typeof signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution.Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, suchas a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, andtransmission-type media, such as digital and analog communicationslinks, wired or wireless communications links using transmission forms,such as, for example, radio frequency and light wave transmissions. Thecomputer readable media may take the form of coded formats that aredecoded for actual use in a particular data processing system.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention, the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A method of controlling a first climate control device comprising thecomputer implemented steps of: obtaining an operational mode for each ofa plurality of climate control devices; comparing a desired operationalmode of the first climate control device with each operational mode; anddetermining if any operational mode differs from the desired operationalmode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining furtherincludes: accumulating a first count of the operational modes thatdiffer from the desired operational mode.
 3. The method of claim 2,further including: accumulating a second count of the operational modesthat are the same as the desired operational mode; and comparing thefirst count with the second count.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of determining further includes: determining if any operationalmode is an active mode that differs from the desired operational mode.5. The method of claim 1, further including: responsive to determiningthat no operational mode differs from the desired operational mode,activating the first climate control device in the desired operationalmode.
 6. The method of claim 1, further including: responsive todetermining that a number of the operation modes that differ from thedesired operational mode is equal or greater than a number ofoperational modes that are the same as the desired operational mode,determining that the climate control device is not to be activated inthe desired operational mode.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding: determining that a climate control conflict exists betweenthe desired operational mode and at least one of the operational modes;evaluating a temperature at or below a predefined safety temperaturethreshold; and activating the climate control device in the desiredoperational mode.
 8. A computer program product in a computer readablemedium for controlling a climate control system, the computer programproduct comprising: first instructions that issue a query for anoperational mode of a plurality of climate control devices; secondinstructions, responsive to receipt of a response message, that comparethe operational mode of at least one of the plurality of climate controldevices with a desired operational mode of a first climate controldevice; and third instructions that perform an evaluation of whetheractivating the first climate control device in the desired operationalmode will result in a climate control device conflict.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein the third instructions accumulate afirst count of the plurality of climate control devices that areoperating in the desired operational mode and a second count of theplurality of climate control devices that are active in a operationalmode that differs from the desired operational mode.
 10. The computerprogram product of claim 9, wherein the third instructions perform acomparison of the first count and the second count, wherein theevaluation is performed responsive to the comparison.
 11. The computerprogram product of claim 8, further including: fourth instructions that,responsive to the evaluation performed by the third instructionsindicate that activating the climate control device in the desiredoperational mode will result in a climate control device conflict,perform an override and activate the climate control device in thedesired operational mode.
 12. The computer program product of claim 11,wherein the fourth instructions compare a temperature with a safetytemperature threshold.
 13. The computer program product of claim 8,wherein the second instructions, responsive to receiving a responsemessage that indicates a first climate control device of the pluralityof climate control devices is not in an active mode, compare a mostrecent active operational mode of the first of the plurality of climatecontrol devices with the desired operational mode.
 14. The computerprogram product of claim 13, wherein the third instructions increment acount of the plurality of climate control devices in the desiredoperational mode responsive to identifying the most recent activeoperational mode as the desired operational mode.
 15. The computerprogram product of claim 13, wherein the third instructions increment acount of the plurality of climate control devices that are not active inthe desired operational mode responsive to identifying the most recentactive operational mode as different than the desired operational mode.16. A data processing system for controlling a climate control device,comprising: a memory that contains a climate control unitsynchronization routine as a set of instructions; and a processing unitadapted to switchably place a climate control device in an active modeand a deactive mode, wherein the processing unit, responsive toexecution of the set of instructions, performs a comparison of anoperational mode of a first climate control device with a desiredoperational mode of a second climate control device and, responsive to aresult of the comparison, places the second climate control device inone of the active mode and the deactive mode.
 17. The data processingsystem of claim 16, further including: a thermostat for measuring atemperature of a zone having a climate that is regulated by the secondclimate control device; and a network interface device adapted toexchange messages with a control unit of the first climate controldevice.
 18. The data processing system of claim 16, further including: anetwork interface device adapted to exchange messages with a pluralityof control units adapted to respectively manage the operation of anassociated climate control device.
 19. The data processing system ofclaim 16, further including: a display device, wherein the processingunit, respective to identifying a conflict in climate control devices,provides a visual output of the conflict on the display device.
 20. Thedata processing system of claim 16, wherein the processing unit isadapted to address a plurality of network-connected climate controlunits and obtain an operational mode of each of the network-connectedclimate control units.